Ugandan man said to have stolen more than Mpumalanga woman’s heart

A 50-year-old Ugandan foreign national has been remanded in custody for allegedly scamming a 46-year-old former teacher out of her pension money.

Christopher Masereka, also known as Moses Mawaza, was arrested in Mbombela on October 8.

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala says the suspect and victim were allegedly in a relationship since March. Two months later, the suspect allegedly told her he was in the logistics business.

“He advised her to resign from her work so that after cashing out her pension money, she could pump it into a business they would run as partners,” says Mohlala.

He adds that the alleged swindler then played hard to get, ignored the victim’s calls, relocated to other accommodation, and changed his contact numbers.

Mohlala says it became clear to the former teacher that she had been scammed. She opened a case of theft under false pretences with the Nelspruit SAPS.

“An investigation was conducted, which led to him being charged with theft under false pretences, and contravention of the Immigration Act.

“The Department of Home Affairs will be roped into the investigation to ascertain the legality of the alleged swindler in South Africa. The police cannot rule out possibilities of adding other charges, as similar incidents have been reported in the past in the province,” says Mohlala.

The suspect appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court yesterday. He was remanded in custody for a formal bail application, scheduled for October 20.

The police urge community members who may have been victimised in a similar way to come forward.